Retirement living is the life for me
I just got official word today that I will be moving back into the retirement home when I move back to LA. For those who didn't know, when I lived in LA I lived in a retirement home. In exchange for 16 hours of work per week I got an apartment that I shared with another gero student along with meals in the dining room with the other residents. This year I will get a private apartment. I have mixed feelings about that. I'm a pretty social guy and although I have had a private room, I've never lived alone before. There's something comforting about knowing that somebody will notice if you don't come home. There's also something nice about being able to tell somebody about crazy things that happened to you that day. I guess that's what cell phones are for. It will be an adjustment but I'm sure I'll get used to the privacy really fast.
In related news, I found out that one of my favorite residents passed away this past year. It will be sad to go back and not have her greet me. This will be something I will have to get used to if I continue with this profession. Despite taking care of several aging family members and living in a retirement home I still haven't had to be there to experience the death of somebody close to me. It always happens when I am far away so I am detached from the situation. I wonder how it will be when somebody close to me dies when I'm not living far away and can be there for the aftereffects of seeing the empty room and their absence quite noticeable. In theory, I think I can handle it. Death doesn't seem like such a bad thing sometimes especially in my line of work where it can serve as a release from pain and suffering. If I thought it were the end, it would bother me more.
2 comments:
Living alone is a pretty unique experience. I think it's something everyone should try at least once--it's a good exercise in learning to feel comfortable in your own skin. I'm liking having my own place again. I agree that it is a bummer to not have someone around to share the day with, but no roommates = no roommate drama, and I have had WAY more than my fair share of roommate drama. Anyway, you'll still have dinner with the old people to keep you company!
It may seem counterintuitive or maybe it's oxymoronic, but just because you have a private apartment doesn't mean you can't have a roommate.
We've got two in our studio right now ;)
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